Manfrotto launches fluid head counterbalanced with a nitrogen piston

Tripod and accessories manufacturer Manfrotto has announced a new tripod head for stills and video users that it claims provides smooth motion and continuous counterbalance for loads of up to 8kg. The new Nitrotech N8 uses what the company describes as a ‘nitrogen piston mechanism’ to counteract movements of the head and the pull of gravity to produce fluid and controlled motion for video and still photographers. While the new technology has obvious applications in the video market, Manfrotto also suggests the head for still photographers working with long lenses.

Users can adjust the degree of resistance in the pan and tilt axes to suit the shoot, and a side locking mechanism secures a quick release plate that offers 1/4in and 3/8in screws. The head is made from aluminum, features Easy Link threads for attaching accessory arms and an illuminated bubble level is powered by a lithium-ion battery.

The Nitrotech N8 head can be bought on its own for $449.95/£449.95, but Manfrotto has also created a number of kits using both carbon fiber and aluminum leg sets.

Manfrotto, world leader in the photography, imaging equipment and accessories industry, presents the new Nitrotech Video Head - a revolutionary head that combines the most successful features of Manfrotto’s Video Heads range with the ground-breaking, unique-to-the-market Nitrogen piston mechanism that guarantees continuous counterbalance.

The new Nitrotech N8 head securely supports a load up to 8 kg. The new head features a precise, continuous counterbalance system that effortlessly and safely holds and operates a wide array of video camera and camera models – in a variety of sizes. The variable fluidity function on both pan and tilt allows smooth, judder-free movement that is perfect for video work and photography work for example: wildlife, long lens, or sports photography. It allows precise control and balance over a heavy telephoto lens or video camera and features a 3/8” Easy Link equipped with an anti-rotation function that enables an external monitor or other accessories to be fitted.

This new head also features a side-lock sliding plate mechanism that allows safe, quick and easy camera attachment. The NITROTECH head has a flat base mount with a standard 3/8” thread that is highly versatile for different support combinations such as a tripod, slider or rig.

Manfrotto’s game-changing N8 Nitrotech Video Head makes a strong impression at first sight through its distinctive, impactful design, which emphasizes this core breakthrough technology. Ideal for both video and photography work, the Nitro head is a revolution in fluid video heads.

Comments

It looks great, but like all of their products, is let down by the lousy plate system. I wish they would just go to Arca-Swiss-compatible clamps, or at least make that an option. I had one of their hydrostatic heads and it was amazing, but the clamp/plate wasn't tight and ruined an otherwise excellent product. You can replace the clamp yourself, but why not just do it right in the first place.

As video cameras become evermore compact, the accessories continue to grow in size, complexity, price and weight. Next we will see and fold-up dolly assembly and roll around cabinet to contain it. I guess that is why I stick to still photography and leave the video to younger and huskier types.

I've seen many parents with a compact camera, mounted on a wobbly Best Buy tripod with a 3-way head. If that floats your boat, go for it @evidon. It takes a substantial head to move smoothly. That's the trick with video - what's between shots counts. Except for the flat base (I prefer a 75 or 100 mm ball), this looks like a good idea, a little flimsy in the pivots though. I'd like to see it in a heavy duty version.

Oh, don't get me wrong. My go-to tripod head is a robust Kirk BH-2 ballhead mounted on a Induro Carbon Fiber tripod. My comment was directed at the ever-smaller video cameras and the booming market in professional grade shooting paraphernalia that are constantly merchandized to these amateur movie makers. As I said, I don't shoot video. I travel light and shoot stills with my Leica's and Oly MFT making my tripod a bit of worthwhile overkill.

A battery operated tripod head sounds like a Rube Goldberg contraption to me, and an obvious point of failure to boot. Proprietary, nonstandard batteries add insult to injury. Combined with Manfrotto's p!ss poor customer service, it's an absolute dealbreaker for me.

fenceSitterBetter reread the article. The battery is only for the lighted bubble level. If the battery goes dead it's the same as every other head without a light. If that's a dealbreaker you lack the ability to think logically.

I love the piston innovation, but I would have liked more counterbalance capacity. My rig's already at ~14-16 pounds depending on lens. I hope the lithium battery is user replaceable, but it would've been nice if it used rechargeable AA or AAA instead. But is that just for powering the illuminated bubble level, or is there something else that requires power?

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